Clearcoat confusion

[MPWR]

X22 acrylic. Tamiya enamel is unavailible in most of the explored regions of the galaxy.

I tend to think an enamel clearcoat would take forever (months) to cure for polishing.

[Nobbys Nuts]

Originally Posted by MPWR

X22 acrylic. Tamiya enamel is unavailible in most of the explored regions of the galaxy.

I tend to think an enamel clearcoat would take forever (months) to cure for polishing.

Well, I have just done the rounds of the main Hobby Shops within 30 mins drive of me (6 of) today and not one of them had X22 acrylic clear in stock. Plenty of the other Tamiya Acrylic colours. All had X22 Enamel Clear in stock. When questioned they all said the same that it (the Acrylic clear)has been unavailable from the Tamiya Distributor here in Australia since Xmas.
I was also advised by 2 of their "Experts"(military) that I would be better off with either the Gunze Clear or Enamel clearas it is better to polish out on car models - Quote "the Acrylic always attracts dust which sticks to it".
I thought the Gunze was acrylic?
I always airbrush enamel clear and it is rock hard in a week. Admittedly I am in a climate where it is rare for the temp to drop below 20 deg celsius so that would help.

Slightly off topic but it was interesting to note that all shops had cut their car range dramatically with only 2 shops having more than 1 bay of car kits. They all used to have at least 2 or 3 bays minimum.
The military range has taken up the space the cars had before. When quizzed same answers alround, kits either not bought in by importers, always backordered or not enough interest in cars to justify the space. And they wonder why we go offshore and order!
Cheers
Tony

[RallyRaider]

TS-13 is great stuff, but not for the inexperienced!

[chaos]

Has anyone had any experience using auto clear over a TS color?

[Sticky Fingers]

I must be in the minority here. I add the clearcoat over the painted body and THEN I polish out. And THEN I add the decals. I house my models in display cases so no need for clear over the decals.

[Nobbys Nuts]

Originally Posted by Sticky Fingers

I must be in the minority here. I add the clearcoat over the painted body and THEN I polish out. And THEN I add the decals. I house my models in display cases so no need for clear over the decals.

I do the same but I do clear coat over the decals as well.

[bvia]

Originally Posted by chaos

Has anyone had any experience using auto clear over a TS color?

Yes. Since the TS is a synthetic lacquer (and hence the hottest) and since most auto clears are NOT lacquer, you'll have little to no problem. I usually use auto-clear over a TS basecoat and never had a problem yet. YYMV, test, test, test..etc.

hth,
Bill